Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

A 26-year-old woman died and two others were hurt in a recent single-vehicle crash in Chicago’s Calumet Heights neighborhood. According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Ronald Gaines, the driver of a sedan was speeding around 4 am when she lost control of the vehicle near the intersection of East 88th Street and South Chicago Avenue. After leaving the roadway, the automobile reportedly struck a nearby pole head-on. Police stated a 27-year-old woman was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with critical injuries following the crash. In addition, paramedics purportedly took a 22-year-old woman to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in stable condition. A representative for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said the 26-year-old was transported to Advocate Trinity Hospital where she was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the collision occurred.

Gaines stated the cause of the deadly crash is currently under investigation. It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the fatal incident. Additionally, it is unknown whether any of the occupants of the sedan were wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that fatal accidents like this one are three times more likely to occur when it is dark outside than during the day. In fact, about half of all motorist and passenger deaths across the country occur at night despite that only about one-fourth of all vehicle miles are driven in the dark. Crashes that involved speeding or alcohol, as well as single-vehicle collisions are also allegedly more apt to occur in the dark.

An individual who was hurt in a Chicago traffic accident may be eligible to receive compensation for suffering and pain, medical expenses, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, and other damages. The family of someone who was tragically killed due to the careless actions of a driver may also be entitled to recover for their loved one’s wrongful death. If you were injured or a close relative was killed in an unexpected motor vehicle crash, a skilled car accident lawyer can help.
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Lately I’ve been reading a lot about the Google car, a vehicle that drives itself. While it sounds too good to be true, the car is currently being tested. Once the car arrives it could have far-reaching implications across the world.

Why will the car put me out of business? Because I am a car accident lawyer and if the technology in this car is implemented throughout United States we should see a 90% drop in auto accidents.

Across the world, it is estimated that around 1.2 million people die in accidents each year and 50,000,000+ are injured. This number should grow as the population grows. Self driven vehicles could significantly decrease these fatalities and injuries, and the various costs associated with accidents.

 

 
Google Car YouTube Video

The above YouTube video shows how a Google test car is changing the life of a man who is 95% blind.

The car is expected to also reduce wasted drive time and energy by 90%, and reduce the number of cars on the road by 90%. Here’s a brief overview as to how the vehicle will reduce your commute time. The technology in the vehicle will allow for higher speeds, allow cars to travel in very close proximity to each other, and the vehicles will choose more effective routes.

It is estimated that every year Americans waste 1.9 billion gallons of gas and 4.8 billion hours of time sitting in traffic. That could soon change.

Here’s another possible savings: the Google car could lessen or eliminate the need to own your own vehicle. Theoretically you could share vehicles with a group of people. A driverless car would have the ability to move to where it is needed on its own, parking itself somewhere when it’s not being used.

For many people, after their home a car is the item that costs the most. With self driven vehicles, you could theoretically use a shared vehicle when needed and just pay by the mile. It would be similar to using a Zipcar, except the car would come to your location.

Who are the losers?

Obviously Google is a huge winner under this scenario. The value of this technology should be worth trillions of dollars, and I’m not complaining. If things go the way Google envisions, I say line up all of their executives and give them Nobel peace prizes.

That being said, many people are going to take serious financial hits if self driven vehicles become the norm. I already mentioned that personal injury lawyers will take a huge hit. Most personal injury practices are largely based on auto related injuries. But who else is going to feel the financial pain?

1. Auto insurance carriers. No auto accidents means no need for auto insurance policies (for the most part). We will still need auto insurance for the estimated 10% of accidents that will still occur.

2. Auto body repair shops. If there are no accidents, there will be little need for car repair shops.

3. Medical practices and emergency rooms. A huge portion of business for orthopedic medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, emergency rooms, etc. comes from auto related accidents. Most of this business would disappear.

4. Health insurance carriers. With far less people needing serious medical care due to accidents, health insurance companies will not be able to justify large premiums for long. Prices should be drastically reduced, along with health insurance profits.

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An off-duty officer with the Chicago Police Department was recently killed in a tragic rollover accident on the South Side of Chicago. The 31-year-old woman was reportedly driving her sport utility vehicle on the Chicago Skyway around 10:30 pm when she struck a concrete barrier near 81st Street. According to a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.

The exact cause of the fatal wreck is purportedly under investigation by the Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Investigation Unit. A crash witness reportedly told police that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed immediately prior to the accident. At this time, it is unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the deadly rollover collision.

Fatal one-car traffic wrecks like this one occur all too often in the Chicago area. A malfunctioning vehicle, swerving to avoid unexpected road hazards, speeding, and inclement weather are common causes for such crashes. Additionally, a careless, distracted, or impaired motorist may also cause an injury accident. In 2011, 532 people died as a result of a single-vehicle collision in the State of Illinois. That means more than half of the 918 fatal traffic wrecks throughout the state involved only one automobile. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests the bulk of those one-car crashes occurred in cities like Chicago.

In some cases, an auto manufacturer, a city, another motorist, and others may be held responsible for the injuries that resulted from a single-vehicle crash. Our office often represents passengers that have been injured in single car accident. As a passenger, you are typically considered free of negligence.

If you were hurt through no fault of your own in a one-car traffic wreck, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, and more. Because Illinois is a comparative negligence accident state, you may be able to recover damages for any harm you sustained in a single-vehicle crash even if you were somehow partially to blame. A hardworking car accident lawyer can explain your options for recovery in more detail.

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Two teenagers were killed in a recent single-vehicle crash on Wilmot Road near northwest suburban Antioch Township. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old Antioch High School junior was headed east in a Chevrolet Trailblazer Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) when he unexpectedly left the roadway and struck a 20-inch maple tree around 7 pm. The force of the impact reportedly uprooted the tree before it landed on top of the SUV. According to an accident witness, it was pouring rain when the traffic wreck occurred. The witness added that both the driver and a 17-year-old passenger were wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Still, both young adults were purportedly pronounced dead by the Lake County Coroner’s Office at the scene of the crash.

A spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the fatal incident is currently under investigation. She added that inclement weather likely played a role in the collision. Although toxicology results are pending, authorities stated there was no reason to believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the deadly accident.

Sadly, motor vehicle crashes like this one are the leading cause of injury and death for teens in Illinois and across the country. Illinois graduated driver’s license laws were implemented in an effort to protect young people and others traveling on the roadway from being injured or killed in a collision. For the first 12 months of driving, Illinois motorists who are under the age of 18 may not operate a vehicle with more than one passenger under the age of 20 who is not an immediate family member in the car. In addition, before obtaining a driver’s license, all teen motorists in Illinois must complete an approved driver education course.

As part of the graduated driver license laws, the hours during which a driver under the age of 18 may operate a motor vehicle on an Illinois roadway are limited. Minor drivers are also prohibited from using a cellular telephone with or without a hands-free device while driving except in case of extreme emergency. Regardless of a driver’s age, texting while driving is always prohibited in Illinois.

Anyone who fails to use reasonable care while operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle in our state may be guilty of negligence. An individual who was hurt as a result of another motorist’s negligence may be entitled to receive financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. If you were hurt in an unexpected car accident, contact a skilled car accident attorney to help you file your personal injury claim.
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A 57-year-old Albany Park woman was recently killed in a single-vehicle wreck on North Elston Avenue in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. According to News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro, the woman was headed north around 9 pm when the Nissan van she was driving left the roadway and struck a pole. After hitting the pole, the van reportedly stuck a tree as well. Paramedics transported the woman to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where she died less than an hour after the crash.

The exact cause of the one-vehicle accident is currently under investigation. Alfaro said investigators are working to determine what caused the woman’s automobile to leave the roadway. It is reportedly unclear whether she was wearing a safety belt at the time of the incident. In addition, Alfaro stated the woman was the only passenger in the van and no one else was hurt in the fatal traffic wreck.

Regrettably, tragic one-car accidents like this one happen all too often throughout Chicago. A malfunctioning motor vehicle, inclement weather conditions, unexpected hazards in the road, and even swerving in order to avoid another collision may potentially cause a single-vehicle traffic accident. In addition, a distracted, careless, or impaired motorist can also cause such a wreck. In 2011, over half of the 918 fatal traffic crashes that occurred across the State of Illinois involved only one motor vehicle. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that most of those one-car traffic wrecks occurred in urban areas like Chicago.

If you were hurt or a close family member was killed in a single-vehicle or other traffic accident, you may be eligible to recover damages related to the cost of your medical care, pain and suffering, physical therapy, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, funeral expenses, and more. In fact, you may be able to receive financial damages for any harm you sustained in a Chicago automobile crash even if you were partially to blame for your injuries. If you were wounded in a Chicago traffic wreck, you should contact a skilled lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.
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